My period generally lasts for 6 days. It is very heavy during the first few days, which can be frustrating. I have to use both pads and tampons, and make sure that I change tampons frequently. Is this common? Is there anything I can do to lighten my period a bit?

Turned out I had a vitamin b12 deficiency. Being tired, very heavy periods, headaches, fatigue and forgetfulness are signs, too.

You get b12 from meats mostly, I'm not too clear on plant foods with b12 off the top of my head.

If you need to boost your b12 you can get shots from your doctor or something called 'sublingual' supplements. b12 in regular vitamins aren't absorbed properly, but sublingual goes under the tongue and melts to be absorbed into the blood stream.

Thanks so much for your response! It's quite possible that I do have a B12 deficiency, as I do get headaches also. I'm not a vegetarian but I don't eat meat very much, maybe once a week. I will talk to my doctor about this.

I don't know how old you are,but I'm 46.Almost 47.
I also have the same problems.I started my period at 8 years old.
My doctor said it was because I was molested when I was younger.
I've had heavy periods for many years lasting 7 or 8 days. Once it was 2 weeks.
I can't hold a 'regular' job due to this.I end up 'overflowing'
Anyway,when I was around 36 my doctor told me I was in 'pre-menapause'
I'm evidently still in it.lol...I can't wait till they stop completely.
Anita

Turned out I had a vitamin b12 deficiency. Being tired, very heavy periods, headaches, fatigue and forgetfulness are signs, too.

You get b12 from meats mostly, I'm not too clear on plant foods with b12 off the top of my head.

If you need to boost your b12 you can get shots from your doctor or something called 'sublingual' supplements. b12 in regular vitamins aren't absorbed properly, but sublingual goes under the tongue and melts to be absorbed into the blood stream.

I also saw an ad for patches a few days ago.

Wow this is interesting. I suffer from PCOS and rarely get my periods. I sometimes go years without them...yeah, I know. Sometimes when I do get them-they are bad-very bad. I also use tampons and pads, but I have to use the huge hospital sized pads and sometimes still leak through! I too get headaches and feel drained. Someone told me it may be because I don't eat meat-now I read this. Guess it is time to boost my b12 intake. I am going to look into those sublingual supplements you mentioned.

I am glad this thread was started! I suffer from heavy periods too. I have to wear those ugly extra long pads and no matter how often I change them I always end up staining my clothes! I've never used tampons. I'm kinda scared to use those...
I am not much of a meat eater too. I eat red meat maybe once or twice a month. I do eat chicken,eggs and milk products which are good sources of vitamin B12. And I know that our liver can store years worth of vitamin b12 so I figured I was covered! I am going to get tested just in case. Thanks so much for the info!

Hey, no problem! You guys are welcome. I also saw some lollipops that have b12.

Here's the list of testimonials from an autism site, b12 is supposed to be great for autism, not just periods, lol! (whoops, i can't post links yet!)

Ok, so look up RevitaPop b12 lollipop on google.

Who knows, maybe I should get my daughter a box and myself a box. She'll calm down and I'll feel 'normal'. Because my missing 'Aunt Flow' ...she was 'gone' for 2 months, just came back with a vengeance. Argh!

Out of curiosity, for you ladies with the heavy periods are you on any type of birth control? I know that sometimes BC can affect women differently.
I personally have the Mirena IUD and I might have a period one day every 6 months. My doctor told me 90% of women who get the IUD do not have periods. I don’t know if this would be a cure, but it might help.

Mine are also a super heavy flow. I'm glad to know it's not just me, I thought I was really screwed up! I started using those pads that are like underwear at night, with a pad inside them and a tampon, just so I wouldn't ruin my bed every time. I'm not on any BC at all, and I am a huge meat lover.